Opinion
At CFMEU protests, the most important group didn’t turn up
The average trade union member these days is not a big beefy bloke in a hard hat and black T-shirt, but a 46-year-old female nurse.
Phillip CooreyPolitical editorEarly last week, as the Labor government and the Coalition opposition negotiated details of the legislation to force the CFMEU’s construction divisions into administration, an ubiquitous figure in the building was the union’s national secretary, Zach Smith.
Given his union was in the doghouse with the government, and had no friends in the Opposition, the only influential politician prepared to meet him and hear his case was Greens leader Adam Bandt.
Subscribe to gift this article
Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.
Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber?
Introducing your Newsfeed
Follow the topics, people and companies that matter to you.
Find out moreRead More
Latest In Federal
Fetching latest articles